Chapter Summaries

A military commentator explained the advantages of China’s new stealth fighter, which demonstrated Mach 3 flight at low altitude, and warned that its speed could let it evade incoming missiles. In Washington, Kamp convened an emergency meeting, where Dr. William concluded that the fighter’s smaller engine and larger weapons bay pointed to a major technological breakthrough.

• The Director explained that the new stealth fighter’s low-altitude Mach 3 speed could let it escape missiles and distinguished it from older high-altitude speed-focused fighters.
• Netizens reacted to the Director’s post as people at the Pearl Airshow began urgently reporting the fighter’s capabilities overseas.
• The chief of staff informed Kamp that China had revealed a stealth fighter capable of supersonic cruising and at least Mach 3, prompting Kamp to call an emergency meeting.
• Dr. William examined the footage and photographs and determined that the aircraft was a new design with a larger weapons bay than the J20, F22, or F35.
• Dr. William concluded that the fighter’s engine was much smaller than the J20’s yet produced greater thrust, indicating a breakthrough beyond current U.S. technology.

Dr. William warned Kamp and the generals that the newly revealed stealth fighter’s low-altitude Mach 3 performance outmatched their capabilities, leaving them without an effective countermeasure. After the People's Daily confirmed the aircraft was a domestically developed fighter named Phantom, Jiang Yan Hai and the others prepared to return to the secret flight test base near Rongcheng.

• Dr. William explained that the smaller aircraft’s speed and resistance to thermal deformation surpassed the Blackbird’s capabilities.
• Kamp asked whether they had a comparable aircraft, and Dr. William said their XB-70 program was terminated and they had no quick response.
• Countries around the world grew alarmed and reconsidered their political and military positions after learning about the fighter.
• The People's Daily announced that the stealth fighter was not an export model and revealed its name, Phantom, along with the name of its engine.
• Netizens reacted to the announcement as Phantom returned to trending searches, while Jiang Yan Hai and the others prepared to resume flight testing near Rongcheng.

Jiang Yan Hai, Peregrine Falcon, and Magpie flew back to the Rongcheng base and began a dogfight training session to test the Phantom’s performance. The chapter left them climbing into the designated airspace as the high-altitude tests began.

• Jiang Yan Hai and the others spent a day at an Air Force Base after the air show, where local pilots admired the Phantom and took photos they kept within the military network.
• Jiang Yan Hai, Peregrine Falcon, and Magpie flew their fighters back toward Rongcheng, and Peregrine Falcon asked when he might get to fly the Phantom.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that the Phantom’s finalization was still months away and that later tests would include demanding high-speed maneuvers.
• Peregrine Falcon and Magpie challenged Jiang Yan Hai to a two-against-one dogfight, and Jiang Yan Hai requested permission from the Control Tower to conduct training and performance tests.
• The Control Tower approved the flight, and Old Liu instructed Jiang Yan Hai to monitor the fighter as the three pilots began testing dogfight performance above 5,000 meters.

During a close-range dogfight, Peregrine Falcon’s J20 suffered a total engine failure and spun out of control. Jiang Yan Hai used Er Dan’s rescue plan to stabilize the fighter long enough for Peregrine Falcon to eject safely.

• Jiang Yan Hai fought Magpie and Peregrine Falcon in a dogfight, suppressing both pilots with his skill.
• Peregrine Falcon’s fighter suffered engine failure during a maneuver and began spinning nose-down.
• Jiang Yan Hai approached Peregrine Falcon and followed Er Dan’s instructions to help stabilize the J20.
• Peregrine Falcon released the drag chute, briefly steadied the fighter, and ejected before it crashed.
• Jiang Yan Hai reported Peregrine Falcon’s successful ejection, and the team on the ground cheered.

Jiang Yan Hai returned to the airport after Peregrine Falcon’s J20 crashed, and Er Dan’s analysis revealed a dangerous flaw in the J20 under extreme maneuvers. After confirming the flaw could be repaired, Jiang Yan Hai headed to the crash site to help investigate.

• Jiang Yan Hai reported Peregrine Falcon’s crash and secondary explosion, then returned to the airport with Magpie.
• Er Dan compared the J20s and identified a design flaw that could destroy the engine during extreme maneuvers, though it could be repaired by adjusting several components.
• Jiang Yan Hai landed and reassured Li Ruo Bai that he and Peregrine Falcon were safe as crews began inspecting both fighters.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked to join the crash-site investigation, and the airport arranged an Army Aviation helicopter to take him there.
• Jiang Yan Hai reached the inspection area on foot after the helicopter landed a kilometer from the crash site.

After three days of fruitless investigation into the J20 crash, Jiang Yan Hai proposed a new approach: install sensors throughout the fighter and recreate the flight under extreme conditions. He volunteered to pilot the test, despite Academician Yang’s objections, and believed his design knowledge and Electronic Warfare Program would let him prevent another accident.

• Jiang Yan Hai reviewed the J20 design documents but found too little evidence to explain the malfunction.
• Jiang Yan Hai urged Academician Yang and the team to stop repeating their analysis and consider a hidden flaw that appeared only under extreme conditions.
• Jiang Yan Hai proposed installing sensors on possible problem components and flying the J20 again to reproduce the failure.
• Jiang Yan Hai volunteered to pilot the test, but Academician Yang refused to let him risk his life.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that he could use his fighter-design expertise and Electronic Warfare Program to keep the malfunction from escalating, while the professors fell silent.

Jiang Yan Hai gained approval to pilot a specially modified J20 for a dangerous reflight test, with Li Ruo Bai supporting him despite her fear. After the aircraft and its support systems were confirmed ready, Jiang Yan Hai requested permission to begin the test.

• Jiang Yan Hai volunteered to pilot the reflight test, and an Old Commander arrived to discuss the danger and approve his plan.
• The Old Commander pointed out that Li Ruo Bai's consent mattered, and she encouraged Jiang Yan Hai before offering to help Academician Yang and the professors.
• The team installed and checked the sensors, modified the J20's cockpit, and arranged an Electronic Warfare Aircraft and escort fighters for support.
• Li Ruo Bai wished Jiang Yan Hai a safe return as he boarded the J20 and took off for the designated test airspace.
• After confirming that the support aircraft and sensors were ready, Jiang Yan Hai requested the start of the reflight test.

Jiang Yan Hai confirmed the Haidongqing’s engine design flaw when an engine failed during a test, then restarted it and landed safely. He reunited with Li Ruo Bai and was ordered to take a vacation with her in Rongcheng.

• Jiang Yan Hai performed the planned maneuvers until one of the Haidongqing’s engines failed and began belching black smoke.
• Jiang Yan Hai shut down the faulty engine, transmitted the flight data, and successfully restarted the engine in midair.
• Li Ruo Bai broke down in tears, then ran outside to meet Jiang Yan Hai after Professor Li encouraged her to go wait for him.
• Jiang Yan Hai landed safely, embraced Li Ruo Bai, and received applause from the researchers and ground crew.
• Academician Yang confirmed that Jiang Yan Hai’s guess about a design flaw was correct, while Old Commander ordered Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai to take leave and go to Rongcheng.

Jiang Yan Hai took Li Ruo Bai to Rongcheng during his week of leave, confessed his love, and asked her to be his girlfriend. After they bought a ring and spent the night together, Li Ruo Bai revealed she wanted to give herself to him after realizing how much she feared losing him.

• The Old Commander sent Jiang Yan Hai on a week of leave and told him to take Li Ruo Bai to Rongcheng.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai returned to the restaurant where they had shared their first meal, and Jiang Yan Hai asked her to be his girlfriend; she agreed.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai bought a diamond ring at Starry Sky, and he placed it on her ring finger.
• Li Ruo Bai booked a presidential suite, and she and Jiang Yan Hai held each other and talked before going to sleep.
• Li Ruo Bai told Jiang Yan Hai that seeing him fly in a fighter jet made her realize she did not want to lose the chance to belong to him, then began undressing.

Jiang Yan Hai cared for Li Ruo Bai after their first night together, tending to her injuries and ordering food while she rested. When Li Ruo Bai called her mother, her mother revealed she knew Li Ruo Bai had used her privileges to stay in a presidential suite and asked whether she was with Little Jiang.

• Jiang Yan Hai woke before Li Ruo Bai, ordered breakfast, and chose to stay beside her while she slept.
• Li Ruo Bai woke at noon, felt shy about the previous night, and told Jiang Yan Hai that she was hurting.
• Jiang Yan Hai checked Li Ruo Bai's injury, carried her to the bathroom, and bought medicine to treat the tears.
• Jiang Yan Hai ordered the dishes Li Ruo Bai wanted, and she called her mother after he left the room.
• Li Ruo Bai's mother said she knew about the presidential suite and asked whether Li Ruo Bai was with Little Jiang.

Li Ruo Bai told her mother that she and Jiang Yan Hai had slept together, then spent the rest of the holiday recovering and growing closer to him. After Li Ruo Bai went home, Jiang Yan Hai returned to his duties and learned that the J20 accident had been caused by a design flaw.

• Li Ruo Bai told her mother that she had slept with Jiang Yan Hai, and her mother accepted her decision but urged her to use protection.
• Jiang Yan Hai cared for Li Ruo Bai while she recovered, and they became intimate again before the holiday ended.
• Li Ruo Bai went home after the holiday, while Jiang Yan Hai stayed behind for a new mission and responsibility at a completed secret base in Yu City.
• Jiang Yan Hai met Academician Yang and the others, who confirmed that a flaw in the J20's design had caused the accident and could be fixed.

Jiang Yan Hai handed Phantom’s follow-up testing to Old Liu and traveled to Yu City to take over a completed base with Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang. On the way, they learned how the nearby Gaotan Town and its restricted road would help secure the base.

• Jiang Yan Hai explained how he had narrowed down Phantom’s engine problem, and Academician Yang praised his quick diagnosis.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked Old Liu to oversee Phantom’s continued testing while he took charge of a base, and Old Liu agreed.
• Jiang Yan Hai met Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang near Yu City, then joined the convoy heading to the base.
• Chen Shan Ming explained that the road to the base would be hidden from navigation maps and guarded by a checkpoint.
• Fan Tian Lei said Gaotan Town was thirteen kilometers from the base and would eventually house most of its employees’ families.

Jiang Yan Hai toured a massive underground military base and formally took it over for the Logistics 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade. He began installing a subprogram from the Electronic Warfare Program to bring the base’s systems under intelligent control.

• Jiang Yan Hai and the convoy entered the hidden base through Tunnel No. 17 and descended into its underground warehouse.
• Jiang Yan Hai toured the vast facility, which could house two thousand people and support fighter jets, drones, and a Strategic Command Center.
• Jiang Yan Hai signed the handover documents, officially making the base the property of the Logistics 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade.
• Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang told Jiang Yan Hai that the base had only engineers and maintenance personnel so far, and Master Kang reminded him that he was responsible for recruitment.
• Jiang Yan Hai used his authorization at the main console to copy Electronic Warfare Program subprograms into the supercomputer.

Jiang Yan Hai installed and named the base computer program Er Dan, then connected it to the national defense network so it could process Black Hawk’s military personnel database. After three days of analysis, he selected elite regiments for the Dark Blade Unit, while its main Special Operations Regiment remained under his personal selection.

• Jiang Yan Hai restarted the copied program, named it Er Dan, and ordered it to search the base’s electronic equipment and connect to the national defense network.
• Jiang Yan Hai told Black Hawk that the base was ready and ordered the team to transfer its personnel data, then prepare to relocate.
• Er Dan reanalyzed records for more than two million military personnel during the next three days.
• Jiang Yan Hai screened a Special Army Aviation Regiment, Special Armored Regiment, Special Air Defense Regiment, and Special Artillery Regiment for the Dark Blade Unit, with Black Hawk’s team assigned to the Special Logistics Support Operations Regiment.
• Jiang Yan Hai planned to transfer the selected regiments as complete units and select Air Force pilots and their ground crews separately.

Jiang Yan Hai and Fan Tian Lei planned the new brigade’s composition and main base while discussing Jiang Yan Hai’s approved urban warfare training plan. The chapter left Jiang Yan Hai asking whether a military restricted zone had been designated around Old Yumen City.

• Jiang Yan Hai agreed to Master Kang’s proposal to bring the 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade’s attached logistics teams into the new force.
• Fan Tian Lei recommended the Overlord Wolf base in the northwest for the brigade, and Jiang Yan Hai agreed it suited training and deployment needs.
• Fan Tian Lei told Jiang Yan Hai that his special urban warfare training plan had been approved, with the abandoned Old Yumen City Area to be handed over for training.
• Fan Tian Lei explained that Old Yumen had once housed nearly two hundred thousand people but now had fewer than twenty-one thousand permanent residents, making relocation feasible.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked whether artillery and rocket artillery could bombard the urban district without endangering nearby residents, then asked if the military restricted zone had been designated.

Jiang Yan Hai worked to establish the Logistics 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade and Dark Blade’s special operations regiments, then was summoned to the Eastern Theater Command for an assessment. There, senior commanders confronted him over taking the military’s most valued personnel.

• Jiang Yan Hai told Fan Tian Lei to submit the unit list quickly and prioritize assembling the logistics personnel.
• Fan Tian Lei and Master Kang submitted the proposed list, but nearly half a month passed without a response as the northern training bases were completed and Er Dan screened military personnel.
• Jiang Yan Hai had the newly screened candidates added to the list, and the Theater Command sent back a reply in less than ten days.
• Fan Tian Lei took Jiang Yan Hai to the Theater Command headquarters for an assessment, where Kang Lei was waiting and senior commanders filled a conference room.
• An Old Commander asked Jiang Yan Hai to explain why he was taking personnel from the military’s most valued units.

Jiang Yan Hai defended his plan to recruit elite soldiers from other units, arguing that it would keep every team combat-ready and improve overall strength. He then revealed he already knew which officers he wanted to transfer, stunning the generals.

• Jiang Yan Hai insisted that he was following orders and that the military belonged to the people, leaving the generals with no objections.
• When a general questioned whether he could use the elite recruits effectively, Jiang Yan Hai asked He Zhi Jun about the differences between Wolf Fang’s strongest teams and its other units.
• Jiang Yan Hai argued that spreading elite personnel across his force would balance combat experience, keep teams ready for missions, and benefit the units left behind.
• A general demanded to know why Jiang Yan Hai wanted his battalion commander Tian Hu, and Jiang Yan Hai said the names of everyone he wanted transferred were already in his mind.

Jiang Yan Hai secured the Night Tiger Armored Regiment and seven Army Aviation pilots for Dark Blade by impressing the generals with his flawless memory and arguing for the force’s tri-service, tri-domain needs. The commanders approved the transfers and his request to speed up logistics and initial regiments, assess the Special Operations Regiment, and train instructors.

• Jiang Yan Hai challenged General Wei Feng to test his memory and recited every Night Tiger Armored Regiment member and equipment detail without an error.
• Jiang Yan Hai named seven Army Aviation pilots as the additional logistics personnel he wanted, and the Old Commander ordered Wei Feng to transfer them.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that Dark Blade needed personnel from multiple services because it carried out independent missions across three domains.
• The Old Commander approved the transfers, faster movement of logistics and the first five regiments, Jiang Yan Hai’s virtual assessment of the Special Operations Regiment, and his instructor training plan.

Jiang Yan Hai established the 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade Logistics Unit and equipped it with a digital system that improved supply coordination and efficiency. He announced its first major exercise, which would serve as a real operation for the logistics brigade.

• Jiang Yan Hai planned to draw personnel from different Special Forces units and provide the first wave with initial training.
• On New Year's Day, Liu Ping became commander and Wang Zijun became political commissar of the newly established 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade Logistics Unit.
• Jiang Yan Hai equipped the brigade's logistics officers with Tactical Tablet Computers containing subprograms of the Electronic Warfare Program.
• The tablet system helped naval port logistics officers coordinate supplies in advance and increased efficiency by about 20%.
• Liu Ping and Wang Zijun used the system to coordinate supplies at Base No. 9, where logistics work became more efficient despite the increase in personnel.
• Jiang Yan Hai told the brigade that its first exercise would involve friendly forces assembling and redeploying, and the personnel answered that they had confidence.

Jiang Yan Hai put Liu Ping in charge of the 9th Rapid Reaction Brigade's logistics system, which coordinated a large-scale redeployment drill and tracked equipment through copied Electronic Warfare subprograms. The Night Tiger Armored Regiment set out for the northwest, though Zhang Ronghua remained uneasy about handing its logistics over to an unfamiliar unit.

• Jiang Yan Hai left command of the logistics branch to Liu Ping and explained that the copied Electronic Warfare subprogram supported its advanced logistics system.
• Liu Ping ordered artillery regiments and other units across the country to prepare to assemble in the northwest for a large-scale redeployment drill.
• Zhang Ronghua received orders for the Night Tiger Armored Regiment to travel by truck and train before making a 140-kilometer armored assault across the Gobi Desert.
• The logistics unit had the regiment install electronic boxes in its vehicles and connect their data links, leaving Zhang Ronghua uncertain about the unfamiliar system.
• Zhang Ronghua confirmed preparations and ordered the regiment to move out.
• Jiang Yan Hai's copied subprogram let the logistics unit remotely check vehicle systems and identify possible faults from their error codes.